Living After Abortion (Adopted by Jennifer Lawrence Fanfic)

(39) Marie

READ AUTHORS NOTE

••Jen's POV••

I look over at Maddie, who is looking out the car window. Just when I get back and we are happy, something like this comes along.

I'm not saying that this is bad, it's the complete opposite. Maddie deserves answers. I know that.

I just don't want her to stress about this--which I already know she is. I can tell. That's why I let her stay home from school today. I figured it would be easier on her and would give her time to think.

The stoplight turns red and I gently press on the brake, making the car come to a stop.

"Do you want anything to eat?" I ask, breaking the silence.

She shakes her head.

I sigh, "You need to eat, Maddie." Only a few months ago, I was saying those exact same words to her. It was after Nicholas escaped, but we don't have to worry about him anymore. That's in the past.

"I'm not hungry." She says flatly.

I keep my eyes on the road and take a deep breath.

Maddie needs answers. I knew she had always wondered who her birth mother was and I was even considering hiring someone to find her. Now we just might.

I'm not saying that Marie, the nurse, can tell us who gave birth to Maddie. I'm not saying that at all, but what I am saying is that Maddie is finally getting answers. And once she starts to get them, she may not stop searching until she gets them all. I'm just worried about what we will find out and how Maddie will react to it. She is very fragile and I don't want her to get hurt.

Marie said that she wanted to meet Maddie. How did she even know where Maddie was? Or who she is? The last time she saw her, she couldn't even talk yet.

And why now? Why does she need to meet Maddie now? When she already has a family of her own--what is so important that she has to disrupt our lives? But I know Maddie wants to meet her. I know she's hoping for answers.

I sigh and look over at the girl still staring out the window. I have to admit, if Josh hadn't practically made me tell her about this nurse wanting to meet her, she still might not know.

I clear my throat, "What are you thinking?"

She looks at me, "About what my life would be like if you hadn't adopted me."

I show a small smile. "I would like to think that no matter how different our lives could've turned out, that we still would've ended up together."

She smiles a little.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." I look back at the road, "I guess I was trying to decide if telling you was a smart decision."

She doesn't respond for a few seconds. "I understand--really. I do."

After I emailed Marie back, she sent me her address. She moved to San Diego after she retired a few years ago. We're about halfway through the two hour journey there now.

Just in a few hours, we'll have answers.

***

"Are you sure this is it?" Maddie whispers cautiously.

I peek through the window and knock on the door again, but still there was no answer. I pull out my phone and scan the email.